LIX. They left the city of Fyore behind and hours went by before they hit the road, and even as the ground went from grass to stone beneath their feet, they turned their eyes on their back and saw from beyond the slopes and meadows the head of the statue of King Aurio bidding them farewell from afar. They walked for over an hour to the east until they came about a town called Belém*(1) through which flowed from the north the River Cahr, merging with the Mirn to their right. Therethrough many people fared, that travelled from the capital to Fyore, and often they dawdled there, dwelling in houses of stone and wood beneath the shelter of fair thatches. There they hooded their faces, and Edwald*(2) and Asadue cared to not roll their tongues—safe when it was needed—and even then they would do their best to hide their southern brogue. The left the speaking to master Hank, for his twang was of the lands of Wiex, so his speech was more in the likeness of the Greythman and he understood the jargon better than them.
If they were to go further south, they would have to cross the Mirn and there only keels ferried, for the river was too wide and the people of that town could not afford to link both banks, since much of their means had already been spent in building a bridge over the ford of the Cahr, and from thereover most people came, and now it was made so that rich merchants and traders could have an easier journey to Fyore. They came to the market where they hoped to find the one in charge of boating people across the river.
In their search, it was heard much gossip of what had come to happen back in Fyore.
-“Aye, thou heard’st me well” one said, “There was much strife in the Gryphnest. Some southern lordling dared to speak against the Black Griffin, calling him murderer in his own halls, and now guards are on the alert.”
-“So I’ve heard” said another, “and there is a bounty on their heads. Gods bless me if I come about him, for I’ll be a wealthy man if I found him!”
This distressed Edwald, and he feared he might not be safe, for they were still close to Fyore, and most would take great pleasure in blowing the whistle on him, should he dare to use his southern tongue. But then another rumour was heard which cut only deeper in his heart, for much was whispered about a growing threat in the north that could endanger the peace in the realm.
-“There are queer folk gathering in the north.” an old man murmured “The Pass of Hel is no longer safe, a shadow has fallen upon it, and some fell captain there is mustering a swarm of fighters from beyond the King’s Mountain. I fear this news is but a forerunner of wars to come. The Black Knight, they call him, and some say he is behind the death of our last lord, Hadril the Slimmer Griffin.”
As if the news of it was not already lurking in his mind, to hear this in the mouths of that people seemed to strike in Edwald’s heart. Yet he remained determined, his mind was fixed in going south and he would not let the talk of the common folk poison his thoughts.
They came to an establishment by the river bank, where many waited in line to cross the Mirn. When it was their turn they met with the chief boatman. He was plumpy and grey-haired and it seemed that he had not helmed a ship for many years, though he boasted to be more able than any of his crewmen.
-“Halloo, strangers” he said, “Shall you ship cargo or we’ll you be needing ferrying?”
-“It’ll be ferrying, today.” answered Hank
-“Three persons, I take it.” said the boatman “Will ye be crossing the Mirn today?”
-“You guess well, goodman” said master Hank, “How long until we set sail?”
-“As soon as the tides allow it, sir” the boatman answered, “A large barge clashed ‘gainst the rocks some days ago, there are scraps and timber all across the Mirn, and it’s been slowing the business down a bit. By the looks o’ it, ‘twas some funeral vessel that flowed aimlessly down from Fyore, so none was on board. But ‘twon’t be long now, the lads’ had some extra work today and most of the way has already been cleared out. At any rate, I’ll get back to you when we are ready to sail. ‘Tshall be four Crosses for the ferrying.”
Presently, they paid the boatman and made no mention of the Lord Hadril’s barge to him. But as they tried to leave him, he said.
-“Goodmen, I see you bear some fancy wear, so ye must come from Fyore. Pray, what’s the latest about these men that defied the lord?”
-“We know little of it,” answered Hank, “I should, hope they are found anon.”
-“Ye knew naught of it?” said the bowman, “Some noble southlings dared to spit some ugly lies about the lord of Fyore, and now they are on the loose. The Black Griffin’s put a pretty prise on their heads, so if ye catch anyone queer faring around, be sure to blow the whistle on them.”
-“We’ll make sure to remember, thank you.” answered master Hank, trying his best to avoid talking any longer to him and still keep his coolness. But the old bowman spoke again.
-“Oye, those two you fare with,” he said, “they haven’t spoke much. Is anything the matter with them?”
Edwald and Asdue shared looks of fear and knew not, what master Hank could come up with to answer. If they walked away it would raise misgiving, if they spoke he would tell their foreign speech. So having nothing left to do, they kept their silence and let Hank speak for them.
-“These are friends of mine from the south,” he said, fearing the worst. “We have some business to attend in Hebrom but we made a stop in Fyore to replenish our provisions for the journey thither.”
-“Southlings, hey?” said the boatman, “we don’t like that folk up here. You can find yourself another boatman. I’ll have no business with their kind.”
-“Then I’ll have my money back.” said Hank with angered face.
-“The money I will keep, stranger,” said the boatman, “As payment for what their lord has said about ours, and so no kindness will come your way from me. Be off now, before I call the guards.” then he spat at them and at the notice of that shunning those who were about did likewise. Yet Edwald was glad, they were not recognised so they left that place before anyone could alert the guards that foreigners from Harador were among them.
With little else to do, the three men went to the town’s tavern where they hoped to find some peace and meals, but Belém was a small town, so the news of what had happened with the boatmen had reached the taverner’s ear before they could order anything, so they left that place too and wandered aimlessly in the town to find some place where they could rest. They took some shelter in an empty slum by the river, where they could see the other end, and thought over what their options were.
-“We could swim over from here” proposed Asadue.
-“Nay, the current is too strong” answered Hank, “and the water is too chilly. We’ll freeze to death before we can get to the other side. We could hide in some barrels and be shipped to the other side along with the cargo and passengers. What say you?”
-“The boatmen keep watch over their wherries” said Edwald “We’ll never get a chance to get inside one of them without them catching sight of us.”
They dwelt on their thoughts in the shadow of the slum, the bitter cold of winter biting their bones, and the northern breeze blowing snow and frost at them. The day waned, gloom came before noon and they saw a throng of men, some pulling a heavy wain, others lined behind a sturdy man with a whip in hands. Edwald frowned at them and there was scorn in Asadue’s eyes, for slavery had not been abolished in Thindur and many walked still in chains under the shadow of wealthy men and traders that journeyed those lands. They saw the master made a stop by the tavern, and he ate and drank mug after mug of ale lounging after a long trek inside by the warmth of a cozy hearth, while his thralls waited outside in the chill guarding his cart and having nothing wherewith to warm themselves but a few worn out cloaks they were given. They covered their faces with hoods and found some roof under which to shelter from the haily rain and still they shivered in pain. They shared their beds with hacks and swines and drank from the troughs that were meant for them.
Edwald pitied them, but in Thindur he was powerless and no matter how much he longed to break their bonds, for even if he were to use his name to befree them, he would find it was of little use there and it would rather chain his own neck to them, and lo! A thought came to him.
-“Hear me now, dear friends!” he said, “I think I might know how to get us pass the river. You see those slaves? Let us go to them.”
-“Why, my pupil?” asked Asadue, “How can slaves be of help?”
-“Greythmen often look down to those of lesser race” Edwald said, “and they dare not to look upon slaves, either for hate or contempt, and chances are better than none that they go south. If that’s the case, we might hide among them. The boatman will keep his eyes from them should they cross the Mirn, and their master will be too idled to tell if we travel along with them.”
Master Hank saw the sense in his plan, and deemed it best suited for their need. But Asadue was upset, for he did not wish to be chained to another man again, and yet there were not many options left. Against his pride, Asadue yielded to them, and they strode towards the throng of slaves, and spoke to one who stroke to be the eldest among them.
-“Greetings, traveller” said Edwald, “how come ye to Belém?”
The slave kept his quiet and feared to speak back. But then he spoke in angry mood as if trying to get rid of them.
-“Off with ye, strangers” he said, “Leave us alone to laze. Tiresome has been our journey and our master was kind enough to let us rest.”
-“Fear not, slave” said Edwald, “I only have questions.”
-“Why should we heed ye, stranger?” the slave replied, “Many have lent us an ear only to spit at us and laugh after.”
-“We mean no harm, brother” said Asadue uncovering his face, “I know your hardships and share in your pain. Let the man speak, he always means well.”
-“Hazagodian, hey?” said the slave, “what dealings has a thrall, such as you, with freemen?”
-“I am a thrall no more, brother” he replied, “Now, I am a free man, thanks to the spirit of the one you refuse to heed.”
-“A free man, say you?” the slave grumbled, “You were born a slave, you were raised a slave, you ought to remember that, for no one else will, and they will treat you only thus. Who are you, anyway, that speak to us without loathing?” said he now turning to Edwald and he answered.
-“We come from the south,” said he, “but the fates have willed it that we go to Fyore. And there we went but were shunned for daring to speak the truth.”
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-“Ye come from Harador!” said the slave with widened eyes as if he had hat caught a beam of hope amidst so much gloom. “The tales of your lord have reached even the ears of the lands far north whence we come, and among us thralls we call him Liberator, for he dared to do what no nobleman before him has, since the days of the Great Awakening, to break the bonds of thralls and lift them to be the same as masters. Ever we look to the south whither slavers no longer fare, in hopes to set loose from our chains. Forgive my rudeness, blessed Southling, for I did not know to whom I spoke. The praise and prayers of our kind go forever to your lord, for among us he is the same as the king Belyus the Shepherd, and should Gods raise him to the highest chair we shall be saved and walk again in freedom.”
Edwald was moved by what he heard and just this once he wished to reveal who really was, uncompelled by his sword, if only to see hope and faith rise higher still in the eyes of the slave. But then he spoke again.
-“So, what would you wish of us,” he said, “if only we could be of help.”
-“You have much to offer beyond forced service, my goodman” said Edwald, “But you needn’t give us much, safe answers and the promise to be wary not to tell your master of our talk.”
-“Ask away, good sir” the slave said.
-“I’d like to know, whither you fare.” asked Edwald.
-“Our master is taking us south,” answered the slave, “We used to work his holding north from here, near the Pass of Hel. But the lands up there have grown troublesome of late. News of some rogue paladin ravishing villages and towns reached his ear before hardship came to him, so he gathered his belongings—us counting among them—and set forth from there. We travel to Hebrom where he’s got some kindred; there he wished to stay to wait until the hassle is alleyed.”
-“Gods be good!” said Edwald, “Our path lies also to the south. My men and I wish to cross the river too, but because of our origin the boatmen will not let us.”
-“I see” said the slave, “But what is your aim and what part do you want us to play?”
-“Let share in your chain, at least until we get to the other side” proposed Edwald “The proud Greythmen do not dare to look upon you, and your faces will be hooded. So, if we walk among you the boatmen will hardly tell if we are strangers, and your master will be too idled to even take notice of us.”
-“‘Tis a sound plan,” said the slave, “but you are clad like wealthy men and bear some hardware, you hard pose as commoners let alone slaves. You might not wish to leave them behind and yet you cannot carry them with you if you are to play our role well. I’ll them up for you along with the master’s luggages. But clothes I cannot offer you lest some of us should walk naked in the cold.”
-“That we can find by ourselves,” said Edwald, “Our gear I will give you. But be careful with them, we’ve got a sword that cuts deep like truth and a shield that is not for the faint-hearted.”
Thereupon the slaves loaded their gear and weapons among the master’s belongings, while the fellowship stole wet, dirty cloaks from some houseyard left unwatched. Edwald and Asadue left their noble clothes, but Hank, proud—as he was—refused to give up his clothes, and though his mail-chain and weapons were already tied up among the master’s luggage, he wore still the King’s Banner beneath his cape.
-“I have forsaken my gear and arms” he said, “For, while you are bound by the magic of your sword to be truthful, the banner I cannot do without; I am charged with its keeping and by my honour I swore not to forsake it. Yet, we need not worry. I will wear the cloak as guise and since mine matches with yours the Master will not tell us apart.”
Edwald feared Hank’s choice might bring with it some trouble and risk. But he understood his mind, so he said nothing against him. Shortly, they put on the wet clothes, bound themselves with the chain of the slaves and walked among them in guise. Soon thereafter, the master came out of the tavern, his eyes drunk with ale, and he strolled here and there for long sloth of mind before he came to his slaves. He had a whip in hands, but lacked the strength to thrash or slash with it.
-“Night’s over, mules” he said meaing his thralls, as he used to call them, “A lengthy journey lies still ahead, and I still need your hands to pull me wain. Come up, now, ere I strap ye.”
Presently, some slaves lined up behind him, while some other pulled the cart, among them was Edwald, for in his heart his pity had not waned, and he wished to welfare them ease their struggle as he could. Asadue resented his past so he did not help, and Hank was vein, so he did not offered his hand. Nevertheless they walked in chains, one after the other with heads bent, until they came to the hithes, where a wherry was already set for them.
-“Ferry or Cargo?” asked the chief-boatman, keeping his sight from the slaves.
-“It’ll be both today, goodman” answered the Master, “It’ll be me and me belongings. But count me mules among them.”
-“Very well, sir” said the boatman. Then the master paid the boatmen and loaded his wain and slaves.
The crew set the wherry loose from the mooring, and rowed their way across the river. On board, Edwald could feel the wind blowing harshly along the streem and hear the water rushing beneath the hull and against the oars. He saw the rowers toil and their sweat turn to frozen dews, and their sigh were like heavy spray that blended with the haze. After a while they came to the middle of the river where wrecks of a barge still could be seen piercing out from the water and rising well above the surface was a large stone that had the likeness of Lord Hadril of Fyore, like some forlorn anchor that stood against the running water, and his eyes were hung on Edwald, as one who knew who he was and could see through his disguise, judging him beyond the grave. Before long, he removed his sight from him, for some fuss among the slaves was stirred that filled his mind with worry.
They had not reached the other bank of the Mirn when weariness overcame one of the elder slaves and fell on the floor, dragging the chain towards the deck. The bonds were tight and short, so his weight pulled the necks of those about him to sit besides him. Hank was also near the elder slave, but he refused to bend so he grumbled instead that the other slave should raise him and keep him on his feet, before the Master could notice their struggle. Alas, it was too late, for he had already seen what had happened and said unto them.
-“Ye’ve had your rest, mules!” he said, idled with anger “Stand up now, this ain’t time to sleep.” But the elder slave would not rise, his feet were sore and he was tired of age. “If you don’t stand up now, old mule, I won’t hesitate to slash you.”
Presently, the old slave gave his best to arise and as soon as he got on his feet he fell again. So the Master smacked him, and the thrash of his whip hit also those about him, Hank was among them and he turned vexed. As a King’s Knight, sir Frann had sworn to protect the innocent in the face of wickedness and injustice. So at the sight of this cruelty, he was moved by pity and wrath, so he stepped forth and stood against the Master.
-“Halt your whip, wicked man” he said, “See you not, this old man is weary? Or are you so drunk, you cannot tell when your men need rest?”
-“Swallow your tongue or else you may loose it” said one slave behind him, and then the master spoke.
-“Heed your brother, mule” he said, “Have you forgotten only free men may sit down at will, or should I remind you with me whip? So, mind your tongue when you speak to me or else I’ll flog you too.”
-“You’ll do no such thing, while I stand here.” Hank said, “Are you so blind with ale you cannot see your men need more rest than the sorry cold you left them to withstand?”
-“O, you have truly crossed the line now” the Master said, but as he was about to slash him, his eye turned sober and could tell that he did not know his face. “Hold on, I don’t seem to ken you…” Then he swiftly removed his cloak and saw he wore a fancy clothe underneath. “These are not the garbs of thralls,” he said, “Who are you, who walk among my slaves?”
Edwald was behind Hank, and saw all that had happened. In his heart he yearned to say what Hank had dared, so unable to hold on to his disguise for much longer he took off his hood and loosed off his chain. For a moment the sun sat upon him and drew out Oakenjaw, which was tied up in the wain next to him, just within his reach. He stood besides his friend and pointed his sword at the master.
-“Drop the whip, wicked slaver” he said defiantly, “Before I cut you with my blade.”
-“I did not notice I carried a sword in me wain or another stranger among me thralls?” he said, puzzled that he did not know him either “Do you think yourself King Belyus or that Lordling of the South, that dare to meddle with me and me slaves?”
Edwald said nothing, but he did not lower his sword. His yes were fixed on the master and a light flickered gold within them. The slaves that were about him heard in him a voice of hope, which defied valiantly the chain’s norm. So they all stood behind him and shared in a bravery they had not felt before. The Master looked at his slaves standing up against and he was bewildered as he was irked. Yet before he could speak a boatman approached.
-“What is the meaning of this?” he asked and then he saw the two strangers “Ye two! Ye are the southlings my master forbade passage to. How came ye on board?”
-“These two hid behind the chains of my slaves and fooled us both. My mules must have had dealings with them since none of them cared to tell me they walked among them. I will punish them when we get to the other side.” said the Master.
-“And I will blow the whistle at them” said the boatman, “for we have ferried them without pay. Your sword will be of no use when we call the guards.”
-“You will do neither one thing nor the other” said Edwald, “You will loose your hand if you don’t drop the whip, slaver, and I will cut your tongue of you dare to call the guards, boatman. You will keep quiet if you value your lives.”
They stood daring against them both and Hank drew out his sword also from the cart. But their threat came too late, for they had already reached the other bank where a small hamlet was seen and the boatmen over there had spotted the steel pointed at their crewman, so they rang the alarm and guards were already on the hithe waiting with weapons in hand. Edwald hesitated and for a moment thought to flee from the moorings with his fellow men now that they could. But the slaves that stood behind him were still on his mind, and knew the punishment they would endure would be grave should they wish to forsake them. So instead he waved his sword and broke the chains of the thralls over and over again and Hank did likewise until all were unbound and ready to escape. But then a young man among them took a knife from the Master’s wain and rushed towards his slaver to gash him, others did the same and picked up whatever they could get their hands upon to smite their master. Emboldened by the valiant southling and his friend, all the years of suffering under his whip were now in their eyes and paid him back for the cruelty they had suffered by his hand.
Edwald saw with horror what they did, and his pity waned away from him. Yet now the guards were on their left and they rushed on board to seize them, so he and Hank swung their swords at them, and though they were outnumbered, their strength and skill was great and not long passed until all the guards were beaten down and their blood tainted the running water beneath them. Their strike was swift and their foes had no time to cry. The other travellers on the wherry fled from the slaughter whining in despair and apprising more watchmen of what had happened. “A throng of slaves led by southlings” said one of the travellers, “one of them seemed to be a knight, and he was wearing the King’s banner. Go quickly!” Edwald heard sound of feet rushing against the mud and steel unsheathing behind their backs. Swiftly he took his belongings and escaped the moorings, the slaves followed behind them leaving a throng of bodies in their wake.
They ran with hasty pace, loosing the guards in the haze until the hamlet was far behind them and no road was left to fare. They stopped by a mound whence they could see the river Mirn and beyond it lay the town of Belém to the north, dimmed by fog and shades. To the west up the stream popping out of the white shires slanting up and down the land was the head of Old King Aurio, the Colossus of Fyore, but now he turned his eyes away from them as if refusing to look upon them. To the other side was an open country stretching far to the east with the promise of danger and risks yet unknown to them, like a wintry breeze. To the south lay a vast hinterland that opened wide before their eyes, there the wind swept frost and rime ever yond sight, as if pulling their hearts towards it.
-“Here we must part,” said Edwald to the slaves, “Our path leads east where our quest bespeaks only of peril.” Then the elder slave to whom they had first spoke approached him and he knelt before him.
-“O mighty Southling, we are ever in your debt for standing up against our scourge” he said, “Truly Harador has grown in bliss under its new lord, so that all under his rule now cherish freedom above all riches. If you will that we follow you through the peril that awaits you, we are yours to command.”
-“You need not follow me” said Edwald, “The whip shall no longer be your torment and no bound shall tie your neck. Now, you are free men.” Then the slaves welled up to tears for such words had never crossed their ears and be so true to heed.
-“Free men or slaves, we will still follow you,” the old man said, “and we shall be truthful to you in will rather than fear.”
-“Nay, I will have you suffer no more” said Edwald, “for if there is anything whereof our path is certain is suffering, and thereof you already had your share. Go in peace now, to the south, if you will, for there your freedoms will be upholden and no man will force chains upon you.”
-“Then you will have our prayers,” said the old man “And the blessings of slaves which are foretold to be greater in power than that of other men. May the thong never tame your roar and no fetter hold your will! Farewell, noble farer and the men who go with you.”
Then the throng of free men left the mound, and parted hence ever to the south until they came to the sea, where songs they told of Edwald and the blade that broke their chains. But to the west another song was spread that told of the slaughter at the Mirn, for the men of Belém grew wary and seldom thereafter they trusted any man who hooded his face, and the southern brogue was ever scorned. When the news had reached lord Carathuel that some brave Southlings had sided with slaves to cross the river and that a King’s Knight was among them the Gryphnest was filled with wrath, for there the Black Griffin knew that lord Elbracht had escaped the city of Fyore.